This video brief about the invention of
a plastic-to-oil converting machine went viral and exceeded 3.7 million views on YouTube.
This is evidence that concern over “the plastic problem” is certainly not going away, despite encouraging bans on and
decreases in the use of plastic shopping bags.
Here on Our World, on the video’s
YouTube page and those of re-posters too, as well as on the hot
Reddit Science link, the topic has generated much interest and debate amongst commenters.
Many think that this type of recycling is not a solution, but that instead the world should be seriously focused on
the first “R” — which is reduce. We should shun single-use plastic (such as your average PET bottle or disposable container) altogether, they argue. The world’s oil resources are diminishing; does technology like this enable our denial of that fact, or is it a hopeful and constructive step in the right direction?
Others are doubtful of the conversion process and have concerns about pollution or toxic residue. But the machine actually
- uses highly efficient but pretty straightforward pyrolysis:
- the plastic is fed into the pressurized oxygen-free oven and
- heated to 427° C (800°F), which liquefies it.
- The machine then converts the liquefied plastic to gas,
which condenses to form
a crude oil mixture of gasoline, diesel, kerosene and
heavy oil.
Blest tells us that,
if the proper materials are fed into the machine (i.e.,
polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene — PP, PE, PS plastics), there is
no toxic substance produced and the small amount of inert char residue that may be leftover can be disposed of with regular garbage.
They also explain that while
methane, ethane, propane and butane gasses are released in the process, the machine is equipped with an
off-gas filter that disintegrates these gases into water and carbon.
Lastly, commentators from around the world are anxious to know if and where they can purchase a machine. Though the company still mainly produces larger,
industrial-use machines, Blest Co. will be more than happy to hear from you. Please contact them directly at
info@blest.co.jp.
Below is the original article, published on
April 14, 2009
We are all well aware of plastic’s “
rap-sheet”. It has been found guilty on many counts, including the way its production and disposal raises resource issues and lets loose extremely negative environmental impacts.
Typically made from petroleum, it is estimated that
7% of the
world’s annual oil production is used to produce and manufacture plastic. That is more than the oil consumed by the entire African continent.
Plastic’s carbon footprint includes landfilling and incineration, since sadly, its recycle rate is dismally low around the globe.
Plastic trash is also polluting our oceans and washing up on beaches around the world. Tons of plastic from the US and Japan are
floating in the Pacific Ocean, killing mammals and birds. Perhaps this tragedy is best captured in the
TED presentation by Capt. Charles Moore of the
Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Using less, or use it better?
Thankfully, there are those who fully appreciate that plastic has a higher energy value than anything else commonly found in the waste stream.
A Japanese company called Blest created a small, very safe and easy to use machine that can convert several types of plastic back into oil.
Though Japan has much improved its “
effective utilization” rate over the years to
72% in 2006, that leaves
28% of plastic to be buried in landfills or burned. According to
Plastic Waste Management Institute data, “effective utilization” includes not just the 20% that is actually recycled, but also
52% that is being incinerated for “energy recovery” purposes, i.e., generating heat or electric power.
“
If we burn the plastic, we generate toxins and a large amount of CO2. If we convert it into oil, we save CO2 and at the same time increase people’s awareness about the value of plastic garbage,” says
Akinori Ito, CEO of Blest.
Blest’s conversion technology is
very safe because it uses a temperature controlling electric heater rather than flame. The machines are able to process
polyethylene,
polystyrene and
polypropylene but
not PET bottles. The
result is a crude gas that can fuel things like generators or stoves and, when refined, can even be pumped into a car, a boat or motorbike.
One kilogram of plastic produces almost one liter of oil. To convert that amount
takes about 1 kwh of electricity, which is approximately ¥20 or 20 cents’ worth.
The company makes the machines in various sizes and has 60 in place at farms, fisheries and small factories in Japan and several abroad.
 |
| Sources: Kohei Watanabe, “Waste and Sustainable Consumption” March 2005;
Association of Regional Planners and Architects, Detailed Sorting and
Measuring of Household Waste, Kyoto 1998. |
“
To make a machine that anyone can use is my dream,” Ito says. “
The home is the oil field of the future.”
Perhaps that statement is not as crazy as it sounds, since
the makeup of Japanese household waste has been found to contain over 30% plastic, most of it from packaging.
Continually honing their technology, the company is now able to sell the machines for less than before, and Ito hopes to achieve a product “
that any one can buy.”
Currently the smallest version, shown in the videobrief, costs ¥950,000 (US $9,500). [Note of 30 November 2010: Blest informs us that, since we visited them last year, improvements have been made to the machine and the price is now
¥1,060,000 (around US$12,700) without tax.]
Changing how we think
But it is the educational application of the small model of the machine that Ito is most passionate about. He’s taken it on planes on many occasions as part of a project that began some years ago in the
Marshall Islands. There he worked with local government and schools to teach people about recycling culture and the value of discarded plastic, spreading the Japanese concept of
mottainai, the idea that waste is sad and regrettable.
In such remote places, the machine also serves as a practical solution to the plastic problem, much of it left behind by tourists: the oil produced is used for tour buses or boats, Ito says.
“
Plastic’s carbon footprint includes landfilling and incineration, since sadly, its recycle rate is dismally low around the globe.”
“
Teaching this at schools is the most important work that I do,” Ito reflects. In Japan too, he visits schools where he shows children, teachers and parents how to convert the packaging and drinking straws leftover from lunch.
If we were to use only the world’s plastic waste rather than oil from oil fields, CO2 emissions could be slashed dramatically, he says.
“
It’s a waste isn’t it?” Ito asks. “
This plastic is every where in the world, and everyone throws it away.”
 |
| Akinori Ito demonstrates the machine to school children, teaching them
about the energy embodied in the plastics we too easily throw away. |
